PHYLLOTHECA. 29 



been obtained from South Africa. Tate, Zeiller, and Seward have 

 already indicated the occurrence of this genus in the Karoo Beds. 



Mr. Etheridge has pointed out that the coarsely sulcate pith- 

 casts of his species recall those of Phyllotheca deliquescens (Gopp.), 

 and the specimens figured by McCoy as P. Hookeri (in part) which 

 are now known to be identical with Gb'ppert's species. 1 As, 

 however, there may be some doubt as to the identity of the South 

 African specimens with P. deliquescens, and as I have not had an 

 opportunity of examining Mr. Etheridge's plant, I have retained 

 his species for the present as distinct. 



Known only from the Saint Lucia Bay Coalfield, Enselein River, 

 Zululand. 



Not represented in the Bi'itish Museum collection. 



8. Phyllotheca, sp. (from South Africa). 



Tate 2 first recorded this genus from South Africa. Zeiller 3 has 

 figured a Phyllotheca from Casey's Township in the Transvaal, 

 which is not well enough preserved to admit of specific deter- 

 mination, and is of but rare occurrence. The leaves, of which only 

 a few are preserved, are linear, almost filiform, and united at the 

 base into a broadly open sheath. This plant appears to be distinct 

 from P. indica, Bunb., and is probably a new species. 



V. 3620. Figured by Seward (97 1 ), p. 372, pi. xxiv, fig. 1 ; and 

 (98 1 ), p. 285, fig. 67. 



This specimen shows several stems with narrow prominent 

 internodal ridges, continuous at the node, but without leaves, 

 which may also perhaps be assigned to this genus. In the absence 

 of leaves it is almost impossible, as Mr. Seward has pointed out, to 

 distinguish between stems or branches of Phyllotheca and Schizoneura. 

 Mr. Seward has also concluded that a comparison of leaf -bearing 

 stems of these two genera suggests a possibility that they might 

 perhaps be both included under one generic name. 



The larger fragment is 14 cm. long and 35 cm. broad, and 



1 See Arber (02 1 ), p. 17. 



2 Tate (67), p. 141, pi. v, fig. 6 ; and Feistmantel (89), p. 42. 



3 Zeiller (96 1 ), p. 372, pi. xviii, figs. 5, 5a. 



